Humility (adjectival form: humble) is variously seen
as the act or posture of lowering oneself in relation to others, or conversely,
having a clear perspective, and therefore respect, for one's place in context.
In a religious context this can mean a recognition of self in relation to a deity or deities,
acceptance of one's defects, and submission to divine
grace or as a member of an organized, hierarchical religion. Absent a
religious context humility can still take on a moral and/or ethical dimension. Humility,
in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many
religious and philosophical traditions, often in contrast to narcissism,
hubris and other
forms of pride.1
[Many
years ago, one of my university professors mentioned that
"windowsill" was voted the most beautiful word in the English
language. Being an armchair linguist, this factoid naturally stayed with me.
Words have enormous power. They can make us erupt into laughter or bring tears
to our eyes. They can influence, inspire, manipulate and shock. They can build
and destroy.
Some
words have different effects on different people. One such word is humility. It
is one of those words that are seldom in neutral gear. Some, like me, love the
word and all it stands for. Some almost fear it and interpret it synonymously
with lack of self-confidence or timidity. The dictionary defines humility as
modesty, lacking pretence, not believing that you are superior to others. An
ancillary definition includes: "Having a lowly opinion of oneself,
meekness"].2
Humility is one of the
greatest character exhibited by Christ when He was in His earthly ministry. Why
it is so important to be humble? It is commanded unto men, that they should be
humble before the Lord; 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what
doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to
love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Mich:6:8. We can say reasonably
that one can not be submissive, gentle, patient and long suffering without
humility.
It is impossible to enter the Kingdom of God
In the Lord’s Prayer we
are asked to forgive our offenders, “forgive
our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” To truly
forgive our offenders we need to have the humility of Christ. 14 If
my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land; 2 Chro:7:14. This is
a call for all to be truly humble before the Lord, for God to hear our prayers
for forgiveness and to heal the land.
Humility
is an act of selflessness and this shows gratitude towards God. God’s Spirit is
able to lead us in truth and humility. We can say if we are humble, willing, and
having a teachable spirit that keeps us from apostasy. In our time on this
earth, if we exercise humility, our weakness can become our strength, because
we are strong when we are weak according to God’s Word.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for
the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified
by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you
of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given
in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his
sake; 30 Having
the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Phil 1:1-18. The passage below is a call to stand firm and to strive
together communally with a humble Spirit and lowliness of mind.
Exhortations to a kind,
humble spirit and behavior.
2 1If there be therefore any consolation in
Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the
same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his
own things, but every man also on the things of others; 2 Phil 2:1-4.
The
above Word of God is an exhortation to like-mindedness and lowly mindedness and
we are called to follow the example of Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s school
kindness, mercy and love become the important characteristics in which a
believer is called to exercise. We are called to be compassionate toward our
brothers and sisters in Christ, because Christ showed His compassion to us on Calvary . We are called to model the humility of Christ in
ministry, and should be quick to spot our mistakes and faults and this is
possible only with a lowliness of mind.
The example of Christ.
5 Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion
as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given
him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father; 2 Phil 2:5-11.
We notice the
two natures of Christ; the Divine nature and the human nature. In the Divine
nature, who in the form of God had not thought it a robbery to be equal with
God. Here Jesus Christ became like us in all things except for the sin nature.
Of His own will, He stooped from the glory he had with the Father before the
world was formed. Humiliation and exaltation are the two states we noticed and
He willingly took the form of man and not appearing in splendour and majesty.
If we carefully observe the life of Jesus in His earthly ministries it was one
of poverty and suffering and always loving and helping and saving humanity. At
the same time it was the glory of God the Father to exalt Him above all other
names and it is His will that all men should honour the Son, and honour the
Father; 23 That
all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that
honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him; Jn: 5:23.
Diligence in the affairs of
salvation, and to be examples to the world.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in
my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which
worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do
all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding
forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have
not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea,
and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and
rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with
me. Phil 2:1-18.
The Word of God
is pointing us to work out our salvation by all means keeping in mind it is God
who works in us. There is always a vast difference between the children of God
and the children of the world. The world does not know what true humility is.
Children of God are called to keep our focus, without quarrelling with others
and live peaceably which is possible when we have a lowliness of mind. We
compare ourselves with the humble nature of Christ, and we learn continuously
that we all fall short. This is a lesson we continuously learn in this earth
when we look at the life of Christ.
The Bible
points to us that the true humility leads to wisdom and this needs submitting
to God. This is not building up one’s ego which is the false humility and it is
not in fully trusting in their capacity to do things in which the primary focus
is on self. This is not making oneself looking good and impressive in front of
people and not building a relationship with God. 2 When
pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom; Prov: 11:2. 2 A fool hath no delight in
understanding, but that his heart may discover itself; Prov 18:2. The Bible
is full of examples of people who are proud and those who are humble. The heart
of a man could be so proud before a fall comes and on the other hand honour
comes to those who are humble. Pride and humility are opposites and the basic
difference is that the pride keeps people focused on themselves whereas
humility makes one focuses on God rather than on themselves.
End Notes:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility
Humility (adjectival form: humble) is variously seen as the act
or posture of lowering oneself in relation to others, or conversely, having a
clear perspective, and ...
www.mindtools.com ›
Leadership
Skills
What's humility
got to do with leadership? Here we look at the benefits of humility
as a leadership trait.
Website References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility
Humility (adjectival form: humble) is variously seen as the act
or posture of lowering oneself in relation to others, or conversely, having a
clear perspective, and ...
dictionary.reference.com/browse/humility
noun the
quality or condition of being humble ; modest opinion or estimate of one's own
importance, rank, etc. Origin: 1275–1325; Middle English humilite Latin ...
Full
Definition of HUMILITY : the quality or state of being humble
See humility defined for English-language learners » See humility
defined for kids » Examples of ...
www.mindtools.com ›
Leadership
Skills
What's humility
got to do with leadership? Here we look at the benefits of humility
as a leadership trait.
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Humility
2012-04-16 · Chapter 1 -- Humility: The Glory
of the Creature "They shall cast their crowns before the throne, so
saying: Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to ...
hu·mil·i·ty
(hyo̅o̅-mĭl′ĭ-tē) n. The quality or condition of being humble. [Middle English
humilite , from Old French, from Late Latin humilitās , from ...
www.newadvent.org ›
Catholic Encyclopedia ›
H
The word humility
signifies lowliness or submissiveness an it is derived from the Latin humilitas
or, as St. Thomas
lds.about.com/od/basicsgospelprinciples/tp/humility.htm
What's so
important about humility? The following are ten great reasons
why we really need humility.
ezinearticles.com ›
Self
Improvement › Inspirational
2006-07-07 · Johnny Cash taught life lessons without ever
knowing it. Whether you're a fan of "the man in black" or not, this
article exposes some of the greatest ...
humility is the defining characteristic of unpretentious or
humble people; those who do not behave as if they were more important than
others. The terms humility and ...
www.biblestudytools.com ›
Philippians
Read Philippians
2 commentary using Matthew Henry
Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Study the bible
online using commentary on Philippians 2
and more!
www.christnotes.org ›
… › Matthew Henry’s
Commentary › Philippians
Bible commentary
about Philippians 2 (Matthew
Henry’s Commentary). Bible Commentary.
Christ Notes. Bible Search ...
For further reading:
1. Millard J. Erickson. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids
2. R.T. Kendall. Understanding Theology,
Developing a Healthy Church in the 21st Century. 1996, p. 357-364.
3. Jay E. Adams. A Theology of Christian
Counseling, More than Redemption. Grand Rapids
4. Louis Berkhof. Systematic Theology. Grand
Rapids
5. Robert P Lightner.
Handbook of Evangelical Theology, Historical, Biblical, and Contemporary Survey
and Review. Grand Rapids ,
MI
6. Charles Ryrie. Basic Theology. Chicago
7. A. H. Strong. Systematic
Theology. New Jersey
8. Wayne Grudem. Systematic
Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids
9. Steven W. Waterhouse. Not By Bread Alone, An Outlined Guide
To Bible Doctrine. Amarillo
10. John Theodore Muller, Th.D. Christian
Dogmatics, A handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and
Laymen. St. Louis ,
Mo
11. Prayers To Move Your Mountains. Nashville
12. John White. Parables, the
Greatest Stories ever Told. Illinois
13. ESV Study Bible. English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, Wheaton ,
Illinois
14. The Matthew Henry Study Bible.
King James Version. Iowa
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